Of the many spectacular inventions of the 1900s, it’s safe to say we never may have made it to where we are today without radar, plastics or the once-revolutionary vacuum tube triode (responsible, in case you’re wondering, for launching the age of electronics).

Medical advances made throughout the 20th century, too, are nothing to bat an eye at.

How we Die: Comparing causes of death in 1900 v. 2010. In 1900’s, 53% died from infectious disease, today only 3% pic.twitter.com/gKPLcnAHQo

“Lauren Hood came to the Twin Cities from Michigan to treat a rare, potentially deadly disorder called Hurler Syndrome. She’s missing an enzyme that breaks down complex sugars in her body. If left untreated, sugars will accumulate in her body and cause bone, cardiac and other medical issues.”

Children diagnosed with Hurler Syndrome need treatment in the form of a bone marrow transplant by around age 10 or the condition can be fatal. Lauren arrived at Amplatz Children’s Hospital when her first transplant didn’t work.

“The concept with the transplant is to eliminate the immune system’s blood producing cells…and replace them with normal, healthy blood cells,” said Orchard, who added that the healthy cells then provide patients the enzyme needed to break down complex sugars.

Doctors at Amplatz have treated more than 100 children with Hurler’s Syndrome. For those wondering what’s next for Lauren, she will need to return to the Twin Cities for check ups, but should recover going forward.

Categories

The University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center is home to six schools and colleges that train health professionals; centers, institutes, and labs that conduct groundbreaking research; and clinics and hospitals that provide patient care. Discover more▶